Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Thursday, May 28, 2020

Five Years

On May 28, 2015, we said good-bye to Daddy.

We've told stories and laughed and cried.
Now we have the memories . . .
Mark Reed Stringamm
Husband, father, rancher, veterinarian, brother, friend, uncle, cousin.
Jokester.
My Dad is the youngest of eleven children.
At 89 years old, he is the last surviving sibling of a great progeny.
And he has made his mark in the world. (Oddly enough, his name is Mark. Apropos . . .)
He has served in numerous leadership roles in Church and community.
Been a voice for change in Provincial/Federal politics.
Lovingly supported his wife all her life and through her final illness.
Raised six kids, numerous grandkids and even more great-grandkids.
Built heritage clocks and other woodworking marvels from caragana and other exotic woods.
Developed and refined his own award-winning genetic line of Hereford cattle.
Taught. Led. Supported. Pushed. Pulled. Guided. Built.
Worked.
But what do his progeny mostly remember this great man for?
His pranks.
Yep. Pranks.
This was the man who shaved his head into a ‘mohawk’ do, long before it was acceptable. And with red, curly hair, such a style was . . . noticeable.
Proof! Daddy's on the right...
Painted a large ‘48’ on the water tower at his Alma Mater in Guelph, Ontario.
Disassembled and re-assembled the headmaster’s car on the porch of the administration building.
Played the ‘wedding waltz’ when his youngest brother-in-law showed up with a girlfriend. And rigged a smoke bomb on the engine of said bother-in-law’s car at the end of that particular visit.
Served drinks in ‘dribble’ glasses.
Lit the bottom corner of a newspaper on fire when the reader was concentrating on reading the upper corner.
Used a syringe to squirt water through a nail hole, thus winning, once-and-for-all, the title of ‘water fighter extraordinaire’.
Also used a syringe to squirt skunk ‘essence’ through the keyholes of the 'Ag' students at Guelph Verterinary College. Can anyone say ‘stink’?
Floated a plastic ice cube with encased fly in guests’ drinks. 
Hid an unwrapped prophylactic in the headmaster's handkerchief, tucked into the man's tuxedo, to be revealed with notable results.
And other monkeyshines too numerous to mention here. But which will be the subjects of future posts . . .
The once-mighty rancher is frail now.
Still clear mentally, but moving slowly and with care.
And seldom venturing far from his comfortable chair and book shelf.
It would be painful to watch, if one were not buoyed by Dad’s own words. “I’ve had fun!”
Words followed by the familiar twinkle as he recounts past pranks.
And still looks forward to future ones.
During my last visit, a dear guest looked at her glass and said, “This isn’t one of those ‘dribble’ ones, is it?”
Daddy? Never change!
How I'll always remember him. Seated at his desk. Getting things done.
See you soon, Daddy!

10 comments:

  1. I thought you were going to mention the story of your first date with your husband, when you came home to find the house locked.

    The next day, your husband asked about the situation and your father's reply was, "You think I wanted her back?"

    I may be paraphrasing...

    ReplyDelete
  2. So sad to watch a beloved father age. You dad and mine would've liked each other. My father loved a good laugh and sounds like your dad provided many!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they're probably up to hijinks in Heaven, Laurie!

      Delete
  3. Precious, precious memories. Even for those who have been at the pointy end of those pranks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Precious memories from your grandfather. What a character!! His siblings must have had some crazy experiences. The skunk spray? How did he collect that??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, he was a vet student and they had just de-scented some skunks. Only college boys woulda thought it up!

      Delete
  5. It makes me sorry i do not know him myself. He's one of a kind.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Live, Love, Laugh, they say. Sounds like your father did all 3 beautifully.

    ReplyDelete

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